Suppose your dream girl or dream guy gave you a book and said I would like a relationship with you, what I expect from you is in this book. Wouldn’t you read it. Wouldn’t you follow it?

God did exactly that. He came to Earth and gave his life to be in a relationship with us. He wrote a book all about it. It’s called the Holy Bible. Can a relationship actually be a list of do’s and don’ts? It can be. What does Jesus expect from us? What defines a healthy relationship with God?

Baptized into the blood. Mark 16:16

Read the Holy Bible. Psalm 1

Keep the law. John 14:15

Confession. 1 John 1:9

Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13

Fasting. Matthew 6:16-18

Attend Church services. Hebrews 10:25

Good deeds. Matthew 3:8

This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list, but it certainly covers the basics. My relationship with Christ over the years hasn’t always looked the same. It is now the strongest it has been in 48 years. Do you know what the Bible has to say about that?

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9 KJV

Whenever you hear someone say a scripture or Bible passage is no longer valid because the Kingdom of God has come, understand they are in error.

Ask yourself are we face to face with God? The answer is no.

It is true Jesus has come. And it is true the Kingdom of God can live in us. It is also true, the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 should still be prayed. “Thy Kingdom come.” Some erroneously say it came with Jesus. I tell you, we will know when God’s Kingdom has come, because we will either be face to face with him or in Hell.

Let no one lead you astray. Why call him Lord, Lord and do not what he says?

Matthew 6:9-13 KJV After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Like this:

For public prayer in modern churches you really need to go back to the Old Testament.

Isaiah 56:7 KJV Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Technically I cannot think of a publicly led prayer in the Temple. Solomon led a prayer outside of the Temple and Daniel prayed three times a day towards Jerusalem. In Matthew 6:5, Jesus talks of those praying in synagogues and streets, but overall his comment is not favorable.

There are many verses in the New Testament referring to prayer. The first part of James 5:16 is often overlooked.

James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I firmly believe the men who get up and pray should pray Matthew 6:9-13. I cannot think of a time in any church where I have heard this prayed, but it is how our Savior, Jesus Christ, instructed us to pray. When listening to another pray in their own words I have to pause and consider if I agree. There have been times when I just pray Matthew 6:9-13 silently during public prayer.

Many claim Jesus’ Kingdom is already come. Has it? Are you face to face with Jesus or the Devil? You can claim Jesus’ Kingdom came when he died and was resurrected or you can claim Jesus’ Kingdom came on the Day of Pentecost, but the truth is that it will not come to fruition until immediately after Judgment Day, after the last foe which is death is defeated.

The Lord’s Prayer refers to the Father’s Kingdom which technically isn’t different than Jesus’ Kingdom. Has Jesus received his bride, has the wheat been separated from the chaff?

Thus I pray … thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven…, and I encourage you to do the same. Matthew 6:9-13.

May it be prayed more often as the public prayer in churches rather than men finding their own words!